Public Interest Voter choice, political competition and democratic accountability
Sowunmi: You can’t force Atiku to drop Presidential ambition as Patience Jonathan pledges support for Tinubu
Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election, Otunba Segun Sowunmi has reiterated his stand that nobody can force Atiku to abandon his Presidential ambition.
Chief Segun Sowunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has, once again, thrown his weight behind former Vice President Atiku, insisting that he has every right to run for president.
Despite the former vice president running twice under the platform of the party, Sowunmi says his principal has the right to run as much as he wants regardless of how many times he had already contested.
His first lost came in 2019 when he lost to then-incumbent present Muhammadu Buhari, and the second in 2023, when he was edged out by the current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
His recent intention to run again has raised eyebrows from various quarters and sections of the country, with many questioning his health, age, competence and integrity.
However, having lost twice to the ruling party in his two attempts, Atiku, 78, attracts criticisms, and has also been urged to ditch his ambition for younger candidate to represent the party as presidential candidate.
But Sowunmi, stated in an interview, opposed the notion, insisting that people always ought to spend much of their time on matters of none of their concern, and the decision to run and not to run should remain and be made the Atiku, himself; that, as granted by the constitution, Atiku has every right to contest as long as he wants.
He noted that the narrative should be to oust the ruling party, not to spend much time to force Atiku to abandon his presidential ambition.
You Can’t Force Atiku To Drop Presidential Ambition – Sowunmi
He added that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar cannot be forced out of his presidential ambition.
“The first thing people must understand is that a lot of suggestions, persuasion, argument, pressure, and bullies come into play in politics, but whether any human being will contest any election is purely the rights granted to them by the constitution and according to the platforms of the party,” he said.
“So what I find a little bit curious is that instead of people to talk about how they win the or even how they’re going to win the general election they have devoted too much time into trying to bully a man that cannot be bullied.
I know very well if anybody tries to bully him, you basically does only to make him more resolute in his position.”
You Can’t Force Atiku To Drop Presidential Ambition – Sowunmi
He further insisted that the major opposition party (PDP) and other political parties have the constitutional backing to zone their presidential candidates, stressing that the law also permits Atiku to contest again.
“What law would you use to prevent somebody from contesting an election when we have even created laws to say anybody who wants to contest is free to contest,” he queried.
Recounting Atiku’s several failed attempts at presidency, Sowunmi argued that political wannabes should be not denied any right to contest, regardless of how many times you already contested.
He said, “He has contested primary tickets in parties before that he didn’t win, and he has contested primary tickets in other parties and has won.
He contested in 1992, he didn’t get the ticket at that time in SDP. In 2007, he won under he won the ticket under AC, or ACN I can’t remember.
You Can’t Force Atiku To Drop Presidential Ambition – Sowunmi
“So, what I’m trying to say in essence is that, don’t let us put too much energy on depriving people of their rights,” he added.
Former First lady Reveals Plans Against Returning To Aso Rock in 2027. Photo Credit: Morganable
Not in My Plans To Return To Aso Rock – Patience Jonathan
Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has declined claims that she plans, with her husband and former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to return to Aso Rock, instead, she pledges her supports for Tinubu’s reelection.
The former First Lady, known to be sincere and humanly, supported the reelection bid of the President Tinubu and rotational leadership, describing the “turn by turn” system as prerequisite for national unity and progress.
On Saturday, in Abuja, Mama P, as known by many, made this declaration as he acknowledged the President’s daughter and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, after being voted as the Women Icon Leader of the Year−an award from Accolade Dynamics Limited.
You Can’t Force Atiku To Drop Presidential Ambition – Sowunmi
She said, “I was supposed to call her first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only we believe in — President Bola Tinubu. Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women because these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you.
“All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow.
Because there is only one president at a time. We don’t have two presidents. I am outspoken — if I don’t like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die for it.
“I believe in one president. I believe in turn-by-turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back—so that the country can move forward.”
Stating further, she noted that she had maintained longstanding friendship with Senator Remi Tinubu during their times in Aso Rock.
Patience Jonathan also recalled how Remi Tinubu and her husband, President Bola Tinubu, supported their presidential bid in 2011.
She claimed that she would rather support the reelection bid of president Tinubu than returning to Aso Rock with her husband.
“I didn’t just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because she’s the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked as a group, she said.
“We are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governor’s wife. We worked when I was a governor’s wife. I know her. I talked with Oluremi.
You Can’t Force Atiku To Drop Presidential Ambition – Sowunmi
“Even when my husband was the vice president, Oluremi stood with her husband and supported us during our first election. They supported us.
“So, for me, I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.
“Because, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turn—I will go.
“Tomorrow, it will be another person’s turn—then we go. And when we go, will we still meet? Where will we meet? I don’t know.
“I stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.
“I say it every day. Don’t you like how young I look? People say, “Mama, you are young, you are young!” it is because I have rest of mind, yes.
“I don’t want to go there—let my friend be there. Let me also “wahala” her the way she used to “wahala” me when I was there! Let me also tease her. And until she comes out, she will be young. But for now, she won’t be young.”
She also appeared to throw her weight behind 35 percent affirmative action for women in governance, decrying the incessant rebuff of gender equality bills by the National Assembly.
“During Obasanjo’s time, we worked for it, and the Executive approved 35 per cent. My husband also maintained it. But when it comes to elective positions, the men dominate and shut us out.
You Can’t Force Atiku To Drop Presidential Ambition – Sowunmi
“May God touch their hearts to understand that we are their mothers, sisters, and friends. We are not trying to take power from them—we are trying to support them.”
Patience Jonathan described the award as a joint efforts in the advancement of women’s health and well-being.
Addressing the audience, the Managing Director and CEO of Accolade Dynamics, Ms. Dofan Chizaram, described that night as a tribute to men and women who have importantly contributed to Nigeria and Africa’s development. Through leadership, mentorship and community development.
“This night is about celebrating the legends who have uplifted women and the broader community. We want to acknowledge their value while they are still with us,” Tor said.
You Can’t Force Atiku To Drop Presidential Ambition – Sowunmi
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